What can be more amazing than seeing marvelous icy masterpieces from different parts of the world? eGetinnz lists five fascinating ice and snow festivals that you must see.

BP World Ice Art Championships (Alaska, USA)

The BP World Ice Art Championships is an annual ice-sculpting contest held in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. More than 100 sculpting teams from different countries around the world participate in the two-events of this contest: the Single Block Classic and the Multi-Block Classic.

Amateur ice sculptors can also work side by side with the experts in the Fairbanks Open, the part of the competition that is not judged.

The Kids Park is also a top crowd-drawer at this event. It is a playground made entirely from ice. It has rides, slides, mazes and other fun stuff for the whole family.

Ice on Whyte Festival (Alberta, Canada)

The Ice on Whyte Festival is an outdoor winter festival celebrated annually in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It features ice and snow exhibits for everyone to see, an interactive play area for the little ones, and a giant ice slide for the kids and the kids at heart.

One of the main highlights of the festival is the International Ice Carving Competition. This year, ten competing teams will showcase their ice carving talents by creating captivating masterpieces.

The Ice on Whyte Festival will run from January 26-February 5, 2017.

Sapporo Snow (Hokkaido, Japan)

In 1950, local high school students exhibited six snow statues at Odori Park, which drew in a large crowd of spectators. This marked the beginning of the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Japan, which attracts millions of guests each year.

For this year’s Sapporo Snow Festival, ice and snow sculptures will be featured in three different sites on the following dates: Odori Site and Susukino Site (February 6-12, 2017) and Tsudome Site (February 1-12, 2017).

Ice and snow sculptures will be displayed at the Odori site, giant snow slides can be seen at the Tsudome site, while the ice sculpture contest will be held at the Susukino site.

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (Harbin, China)

What started out as a traditional ice lantern show and garden party in 1963 has now become the biggest ice and snow festival in the world. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is a month-long celebration that starts on January 5.

The two important exhibition areas of this festival are the Sun Island, where big snow sculptures are found, and the Ice and Snow World, which features full-sized buildings made from huge blocks of ice.

Ice Music Festival (Geilo, Norway)

The Ice Music Festival in Norway is a one-of-a-kind musical event where all instruments used in the concert are sculpted from ice hours before the actual stage performance.

The festival, founded by Terje Isungset and Pål Knutsson Medhus, is a tribute to art and the environment. It is held on the first full moon of the year.

Every couple is always looking for that one perfect place for the ceremony of their dream and choosing a venue is one of the biggest decisions they will make as an engaged couple. Every couple would always want to seal their love and devotion in a place where they feel romantic – be it in a beach, in the mountains, inside a church or in a garden.

Here as some suggestions for a great wedding destinations in the world before you say “I do” :

Hawaii

The white sands and turquoise waters of Hawaii’s oases would really mesmerize any couple planning for a beach wedding. But aside from the pristine beaches;  the exhilarating cliffs and the lush mountains, make Hawaii one of the most loved wedding destinations in the world. It is best for couple who are looking for a venue that is closer to nature.

Bermuda

The pink sand beaches and clear, cerulean blue ocean waters make Bermuda a popular wedding destination. The place is perfect for couple looking for a taste of tropics for their big day. There are also cliffs and other historical places that might also be considered as wedding venues.

Malaysia

There are a lot of resorts and historical places in Malaysia perfect for a beach or a garden wedding.

Lake Gardens, for example, offer a tranquil and scenic view as couples exchange “I do’s.” Malaysia, actually, has a lot of tropical and exotic locations to choose from.

France

There are a lot of beautiful and inspiring wedding venues in France. There are museums, gardens, chateaus and never to forget the famous Alps. I guess, France, specifically Paris tops a couple’s list as it is known to be the city of love.

Greece

How could a couple forget the place dubbed as one of the most romantic places on earth on the list? Santorini especially, is a great choice for a wedding venue. Exchange vows in a whitewashed chapel with a backdrop of a beautiful sunset, the breathtaking views and scenery of the cliffs. There are a lot of historical places in Greece wherein the couple would feel like gods and goddesses on their wedding day.

Mardi Gras is French word for “Fat Tuesday” which reflects the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the fasting of the Lenten season.

In some countries, it is called Shrove Tuesday referring to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras all around the world

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Mardi Gras really showcases the enduring French traditions in New Orleans. It begins with a masked ball on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6 but the largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the Mardi Gras celebration.

Veracruz, Mexico

Mardi Gras in Veracruz is called Carnaval. Eight days before Lent, the festival kicks off with the quema del mal humor—the “burning of ill humor” in the form of an effigy of Satan or an unpopular political figure. The Carnaval is enjoyed with festive parades, floats, costumes, music, dancing, and all-night partying which cause the city of Veracruz to shut down all throughout the event.

Cologne, Germany

Karneval, also known as Fasching in some parts of Germany, begins November 11 all the way through winter. In Cologne, the festive events include parades, balls, concerts, and traditional variety shows. The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday which happens two days before Ash Wednesday. Cologne folks go out masqueraded and greet each other “Kölle Alaaf!”

Venice, Italy

The flamboyant Venetian Carnevale  is known to be the mother of all Mardis Gras celebrations. About two weeks before Lent, locals will be seen in authentic costume. Masks are an important feature of the Venetian celebration. Several distinct styles of mask are worn by people according to their occupation. Some of the most popular types of masks are bauta, a white mask covering the entire face; colombina, a half mask; and the Medico della peste which is a mask with a long beak.

Patras, Greece

The Patras’s Carnival, Patrino karnavali, was inspired by Dionysus, the god of wine. It officially starst on St. Anthony’s Day (January 17) and stretches all the way into early March, and ends up with a lavish parade and a kite-flying competition. It is one of the largest festivities of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in the entire Europe.

Mardi Gras in the Philippines

The European countries and the United States are not the only places known for Mardi Gras celebration. The Philippine culture also showcases the festival with their own version of it like the the Ati-Atihan of Kalibo, Aklan celebrated every January 14 to 16; Iloilo’s Dinagyang from January 17 to 23; the Sinulog of Cebu City every January 23; and the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City every October 19. The Pasayahan sa Lucena in Quezon province also reflects the Mardi Gras. The grand parade highlights colorful costumes, props, elegant floats and street dancing.